5 Facial Moisturizers For Acne Prone Skin
February 16, 2011 2 CommentsI’ve tried all sorts of moisturizers over the years. For acne prone skin, mature or not, the moisturizer has to be light. Non comedogenic. Oil free.
Anti-aging moisturizers are a misnomer. I learnt the hard way that the right choice of facial moisturizer depends on skin type, not the age of your skin. Hence, even with my mature skin, I shop at the teeny bopper section where skincare’s concerned..
I’m paranoid about wrinkles appearing. Especially when my peers started their antiaging skincare regime in their early twenties, and up to now, I haven’t been able to find a range that does not lead to another major pimple outbreak. Hence, I still check out anti-aging skin care ranges of reputable brands.
When the sales consultant caught me fingering the anti-aging moisturizers in her brand’s skincare range, she took one look at the oil spill I call my face, and sent me straight to the deep cleansing range for oily, sensitive skin.
Ok, enough venting. I’ve found a few that work for my skin.
#1 Facial Moisturizer for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin – Avene Moisturizing Lotion
I did try SKII Facial essence treatment and found it too rich for my skin. I got tiny pimples, also known as millia seeds. I didn’t give up. I figured a moisturizing water based treatment should work for my skin and eventually, I found mine in Avene.
Avene Moisturizing Lotion
Soak a cotton ball with this lotion and pat on just cleansed face. Keeps skin moist without clogging pores. I love this and use it every night before going to bed. That’s the closest I’ve got to an anti-aging skincare regime.
#2 Facial Moisturizer for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin - Avene Matifying Fluid Moisturizer
Avene Matifying Fluid Moisturizer
This was recommended by the sales consultant for my acne prone skin. It controls the oil and hence would help reduce the chances of yet another pimple outbreak.
#3 Facial Moisturizer for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin - Moisture White Whitening Moisture Serum
Moisture White Serum
My friends recommended this from The Body Shop. She swears by it. I used it for 2 years too as I loved the results. This is one of the few serums my skin can tolerate daily without breaking out in pimples. It left my skin fairer too with regular use.
#4 Facial Moisturizer for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin – Moisture White Whitening Essence
The Body Shop Moisture White
This whitening essence from The Body Shop is meant to prep the skin before using the serum. I use it on its own at times, as a moisturizer. Sometimes, I layer the two for maximum whitening effect.. ok, so I prefer fairer skin. My skin takes this well on its own without acne outbreaks. As for layering the two, it depends. On oilier skin days, I skip either one or the other as the combination can be too rich.
#5 Facial Moisturizer for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin – Ice Cream
- Ice Cream to soothe hot bothered skin
To be honest, I was very wary against using this cream on my skin. I go for facial threading as I love the clean look that results. Plus nothing cleans the pores better than yanking out the hair..and all the dirt with it.. in my crazed opinion.
My therapist recommended Ice Cream to soothe the skin after each session, to be used for 7 days after that.
I tried that. My skin liked it. To be honest, I only use it for the days following a threading session as I still am rather scared of creams.. after all those acne outbreaks I’ve had to endure through the decades.
The cream feels cool. It absorbs quickly. Gives skin the moisture, surprisingly, without clogging my pores. So far, so good.
It is a cooling, soothing cream. She assured me it would prevent or at least reduce the acne outbreaks that are often triggered by full face threading.
Skin Care
There are simple things your can do to prevent your acne from occurring in the first place.
As a teenager, I was plagued with the occasional flaming red pimple. Although my skin was usually clear, I didn’t fully appreciate this until my mid-20s, when – to my surprise – I started to have more frequent and severe flare-ups. Like many people, I assumed that acne was a “teenager’s problem,” so I was both puzzled and frustrated when my acne only worsened with age – despite the inordinate amount of time I devoted to skin care.
Over the previous six months, the situation has become intolerable. Now approaching 30, the periods of flare-ups far outnumber clear days. Objectively, I know that I don’t have it “that bad,” but it’s bothersome nonetheless. I decided to take action and map out a plan of over-the-counter treatments before turning to a dermatologist for help (a last step for me, since, in my experience, dermatologists seem to overcharge and under-deliver!). At first, I tried to locate advice on the Internet. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a site with comprehensive and consistent information; for example, home remedies ran the gamut, from lemon peels to shaving cream to tumeric. There are literally as many “folk remedies” as there are acne sufferers!
Rather than try to sort through this information overload, I instead turned to my local library. The most recent book on acne treatments they owned was “Breaking Out,” so I checked it out right away.
I have to say, I think I hit the jackpot the first time around! “Breaking Out” is a comprehensive guide to acne treatments. Preston covers all the bases; she discusses acne myths and truths; OTC treatments that work (as well as those that don’t); various prescription remedies; and even more drastic therapies, such as Accutane and hormones. A longtime acne sufferer herself, she’s definitely done her research – and she also addresses her audience with empathy. She features interviews with a number of prominent researchers in the field, but the discussion is never dry or boring. Rather, she manages to break down the science behind acne causes and treatments so that it’s easily comprehensible to laypeople.
After reading “Breaking Out,” I drew up a plan to deal with my acne: a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid (twice a day), together with a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream (again, twice a day), and an oil-free moisturizer with sunblock (as needed). When I went to my local grocery store, book in hand, I was able to tackle the five mini-aisles of cosmetics with ease: I knew exactly what I wanted, and what products/ingredients I should avoid. Although it’s only been a few weeks, it already seems like I’m getting fewer pimples (though I suppose it could just be my imagination!). Best yet, I feel confident, empowered to solve the problem, as opposed to sitting back and passively accepting the advice of clueless dermatologists.
Even though the guide is directed at women, men might find it helpful as well – particularly the chapters on various treatment options. I’d also recommend the book to men whose partners are afflicted with acne. Preston addresses the emotional aspects of acne, and her advice to women might help men understand how acne affects the emotional health and well-being of their partners.